the skis knees

Broad Question

Can magnets repel a ski racers knees when turning?

Specific Question

When ski racing slalom can magnets be used to repel ski racers knees when turning?

Variables

Independent Variable:

magnets

Dependent Variable:

distance between knees (cm)

Variables That Need To Be Controlled:

ski racer, ski trail, skis, and path taken

Hypothesis

I hypothesize it will take two 2 inch magnets in each knee in order too repel the ski-racers knees.

Graph of Hypothesis

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Experimental Design

I will conduct an experiment that will determine whether magnets can be used as a substitution for a ball when ski racers a training to keep their legs apart. to do this experiment I will take eight magnets and put one in each knee pocket, then I will continue to increase the number of magnets for each test. I will conduct four tests, these tests will take place on the trail King-pine at the ski mountain and resort king pine. to conduct these tests I will be tacking the same designated course each ski run and doing two ski runs for each amount of magnets.

Materials List

1. Eight two inch magnets
2. Skies
3. Ski mountains
4. Ski pants or knee braces
5. Measure tape
6. sewable pockets

1. Put magnetic knees on

5. Add another magnet too the sewable pockets

6. Run the ski trail again. Turns should be as close to your previous turns as possible

7. Record data

8. Add another magnet and repeat steps 1-4 two more times

one magnets in each pocket

2. Run ski trail making broad turns

3. Measure distance between knees

4. Record data

Detailed Procedure

1. Put magnetic knees on

5. Add another magnet too the sewable pockets

6. Run the ski trail again. Turns should be as close to your previous turns as possible

7. Record data

8. Add another magnet and repeat steps 1-4 two more times

one magnets in each pocket

2. Run ski trail making broad turns

3. Measure distance between knees

4. Record data

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Background Research

1. Neodymium magnets are a type of rare earth magnet. They are the strongest rare earth magnets and can be very dangerous if handled improperly. They are often referred to as rare earth magnets because they belong to the rare earth elements on the periodic table. But they are not the same as rare earth magnets. There are different types of rare earth magnets gand Neodymium magnets are just one type. Neodymium magnets are the strongest permanent magnets available today.
Neodymium magnets are also known as Neodymium-Iron-Boron or Nd-Fe-B or NIB super magnets since they are composed of these elements. These magnets are extremely strong for their small size and are metallic in appearance.
.

2. reason for Keeping Your Legs/knees Straight and apart

Keeping your legs straighter and more extended when turning is extremely important in downhill ski racing. By keeping your legs straight, you reduce the amount of stress being placed on your knee and greatly reduce the chances of developing a knee injury. In addition, keeping a straight leg allows the ski to carve into the snow much more effectively, resulting in faster speeds and quicker race times.


3. one way to practice keeping your knees apart while racing is to practice with a ball between your knees this allows you to get a feel for wear your knees should be and then when the ball isn't there you know were your knees should be. so when racing you will be able to keep your knees and legs were they should be.h

4. all magnets are polarized with a north and south end when north and south face each other they attract however if south and south or north and north face each other then their magnetic fields would repell.

References

Allan, bass. downhill skiing tips. 6 Dec. 2010. Web. 18 Jan. 2012. <http://www.livestrong.com/article/108145-downhill-ski-racing-tips/>.

Frankowski, asa X. Personal interview. 30 Dec. 2011

Geno, jazek. what are neodymium magnets?. 2006. Web. 18 Jan. 2012. <http://www.whatareneodymiummagnets.com/>.


Marshal, brain, ed. how stuff works. napolis, indiana: hungry mins,inc, 2003. Print.

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Results

Data Table

Graphs

Photos

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Data Analysis

Conclusion

the original purpose of this experiment was to determine the amount of magnetic force required to keep your knees separated while you turn around gates. the reason for this is because if you knees get too close it becomes harder to turn and you become more likely to fall. the results of this experiment was that with two twenty seven pound magnets
on each knee they would stay a distance four inches apart, which is the perfect distance for the knees to be apart.

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Discussion

my hypothesis was that two magnets on each knee would be sufficient to keep your knees apart while making turns in downhill skiing. My results supported my hypothesis two magnets on each knee was enough to keep your knees apart up to four inches where as one on one knee and two on the other only kept your knees apart 3.5 inches. the testing I did went smoothly because the magnets didn't pull each other together like i thought they might and i never crashed the only thing i would like to have changed is that having another skier would have made my testing more accurate. an interesting future experiment would have be to test how the sharpness of the edge of the ski truly affects your turning capabilities.